We all deserve a bit of time away, precious moments with friends or family, or time to just
kick back, relax and create special memories that will last a lifetime. You’ll
find our hotels in wonderful locations where you can enjoy Britain’s natural beauty
at its best.

Explore

The Magical Rhine & Moselle

highlights

Take a scenic tour of the Rhine Valley

Admire Bernkastel-Kues’ medieval market square

Spend time in Alken and discover its valleys and vineyards

Sample wonderful Moselle wines

Step aboard the friendly MV Virginia for a relaxing cruise, uncovering the best of the Rhine and Moselle Valleys. Take in quaint villages, scenic rolling hills and picturesque sloping vineyards, as we sail through Germany’s famous wine country.

Great for:

Seat plan

8 Days from only

£1074pp

based on 2 people

Departs

Board

Days

23rd May 2018

Full Board

8

Travel by :Rail

Departing from:East Midlands, North East, North West & North Wales, South East, South West, West Midlands, Yorkshire

8 Days from only

ITINERARY

The Magical Rhine & Moselle rail

Day One - UK to Cologne, cruise to Koblenz We meet and board our Eurostar service at London St Pancras, travelling to Brussels where we transfer to a local service to Cologne. We are met and transferred to the MV Virginia where we embark and moor overnight.

Day Two - Koblenz A morning at leisure or why not join our optional tour of Kobelnz and the Romanticum? This afternoon we enjoy an included excursion along the scenic Rhine Valley.

Day Three - Koblenz to Cochem This morning, we cruise to Cochem, known as the ‘Pearl of the Moselle’. We spend the rest of the day here and moor overnight.

Day Four - Cochem to Traben-Trarbach From Cochem, we sail to Traben-Trarbach, arriving by early afternoon. Enjoy an included excursion to medieval Bernakstel -Kues.

Day Five - Traben-Trarbach to Zell We depart Traben-Trarbach and sail onwards to Zell - be sure to visit one of the many wine taverns here to sample the town’s famous wine. We have an optional excursion to Beilstein, known as the Sleeping Beauty of the Moselle,

Day Six - Zell to Alken This morning, we sail to Alken, one of the oldest Moselle towns, boasting cobbled streets and captivating architecture. Join our optional excursion to medieval Eltz Castle.

Day Seven - Alken to Cologne Wake to mesmerising scenery as we cruise back to Cologne. Discover this vibrant city’s splendid sights, including its famous cathedral, which we can visit with our optional excursion. We’ll enjoy a gala dinner on board this evening.

Day Eight - Cologne to UKTime to disembark in Cologne and then transfer to Cologne Station, where we board our service to Brussels, where we change to our Eurostar service to London St Pancras.

LOCATIONS

YOUR SHIP

MV Virginia

Whether you want to discover the Rhine and Moselle rivers, or Dutch Waterways, the MV Virginia is the ideal choice. Our warm, inviting ship is a firm favourite with Shearings customers, and it’s very easy to see why. If you’re after scenic River Cruises that give you the opportunity to travel in style and comfort, while exploring beautiful destinations and taking in stunning scenery, we have the perfect selection of Europe River Cruises for you.

Having been fully refurbished in 2013, the MV Virginia provides a modern, relaxed atmosphere, with impressive decor and a fantastic environment in which you’ll be able to relax at ease while enjoying Rhine River Cruises.

You’ll experience the classic Shearings charm that our customers are now accustomed to. Our friendly staff will be on-hand at all times to welcome you aboard the ship after exiting excursions in fantastic destinations, and they’ll be happy to recommend ideas for things to do and sights to see when we’re docked.

The MV Virginia is the perfect vessel for first-time River Cruise travellers - if you’re booking your very first Dutch Waterways, Rhine or Moselle River Cruise, you’ll feel right at home on this ship. With its intimate and relaxed atmosphere, you’re sure to make a number of firm friends with your fellow passengers.

While we’re travelling, be sure to admire the changing scenery from the sundeck, where you can soak up the rays or sit under the covered area. Why not enjoy a pre-dinner drink with your new friends at the bar, before tucking into the sumptuous meals served on-board. You’ll get to enjoy buffet breakfasts, as well as three-course lunches and four-course evening meals with waiter service.

Step aboard the MV Virginia with Shearings to discover just why this ship is so popular with our customers…

MV Virginia Grade A

Relax as we travel along the Rhine, Moselle or the Dutch Waterways on one of our Europe River Cruises on-board the MV Virginia and choose our Grade A cabins. You’ll enjoy a fantastic journey with us, and you’ll be able to retire to your comfortable cabin on the Promenade deck of the MV Virginia for a rejuvenating rest at the end of each day.

You’ll find a private bathroom in your cabin, with a wet room-style shower and a toilet, as well as a safe to store your important belongings in, and a hairdryer and flat screen TV. Your cabin will also be equipped with air conditioning and has fixed twin beds.

MV Virginia Grade A+

For the ultimate relaxing experience when enjoying scenic River Cruises on-board the MV Virginia, choose our Grade A+ cabins. Situated on the Promenade deck, you’ll be able to sit back and allow us to transport you along some of Europe’s finest rivers.

In your cabin, you’ll find a private bathroom with excellent facilities, including a shower and toilet, as well as a safe and hairdryer in your cabin. Why not watch some TV, or enjoy a complimentary cup of tea or coffee while relaxing in the cabin’s sitting area?

MV Virginia Grade B

Join us on-board the MV Virginia for one of our fantastic scenic River Cruises and enjoy comfortable accommodation in our Grade B cabins. Relax in your cabin after a great day of travelling, whether you’ve spent the day watching the changing scenery as we continue our journey, or you’ve enjoyed some amazing excursions to beautiful new destinations.

Our Grade B cabins come with all the facilities you’ll require for an excellent stay on-board, including private bathroom facilities with a shower and toilet. You’ll also find a safe, hairdryer and air conditioning in your cabin, as well as a flat screen TV and fixed twin beds.

MV Virginia Grade C

Enjoy a relaxing journey on-board the MV Virginia as we discover beautiful sights and amazing attractions with one of our many Rhine River Cruises, or one of our Moselle or Dutch Waterways River Cruises. We have something to suit all travel tastes, and our Grade C cabins on the Promenade and Main decks of the MV Virginia will serve as fantastic accommodation for the duration of your cruise.

You’ll find fixed twin beds in your cabin, as well as private bathroom facilities with a shower and toilet. There will also be a safe, air conditioning, a hairdryer and a flat screen TV in your cabin, so you can relax after a day of excursions.

MV Virginia Grade D

Private bathroom facilities including shower cubicle and toilet

Safe

Hairdryer

Flat screen TV

Air conditioning

Fixed twin beds

Located on Cabin deck

Situated on the Cabin deck of the MV Virginia, our Grade C cabins provide great accommodation for your exciting Dutch Waterways, Rhine or Moselle River Cruise. After an evening of fun and sumptuous food in our restaurant, bar and living areas of the ship, you can return to your cabin for a peaceful night’s rest.

Your cabin will come equipped with private bathroom facilities, which includes a shower cubicle and toilet, and you’ll also find fixed twin beds in your cabin. As well as this, you can make use of your cabin’s safe, hairdryer, air conditioning and flat screen TV during your River Cruise.

MV Virginia Single Cabin

Should you be travelling by yourself, or prefer to stay in a separate cabin, our Single cabin is ideal. With private bathroom facilities, including either a wet room-style shower or a shower cubicle, and a toilet, you’ll be perfectly suited for great facilities when travelling on-board the MV Virginia.

Our Single cabins can be found on the Main and Cabin decks of the MV Virginia, and you’ll also find a safe, hairdryer, flat screen TV and air conditioning in all of our Single cabins. Each cabin is also fitted with fixed twin beds for sole occupancy.

INCLUDED EXCURSIONS

Scenic Rhine ValleyJoin us for a scenic drive today, as we explore the beautiful Rhine Valley and make our way to Boppard. Known as the 'Pearl of the Rhine’ for its wonderful scenery, we’ll take in this charming town’s medieval architecture, before continuing our journey to St Goar, located within the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Rhine Gorge.

Visit to Bernkastel-KuesExplore the small town of Bernkastel today, taking in this charming town’s beautiful sights. Offering up some of the best scenery along the Moselle River, Bernkastel boasts beautiful buildings, and is watched over by the ruins of Landshut Castle. Enjoy time at leisure here to take in its medieval architecture and quaint setting.

OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS

Bernkastel and the Wine DoctorAccording to Legend, back in the 14th century, the Elector of Trier – Boemund II fell seriously ill with fever during a stay at Landshut Castle. Remedies were prescribed with no effect, so an old winegrower came to see the Elector with a keg of his finest wine, declaring it to be the best medicine.

The Elector drank the wine and was miraculously cured. So join us and the Wine Doctor as we explore Bernkastel’s winding cobbled streets and half-timbered houses. We see the medieval Market Square, renaissance-style Town Hall, charming St Michael’s Fountain and Bear Fountain.

We head to Graacher Gate, the only remaining medieval town gate, Heinz’sche House -one of the oldest buildings in the town and of course the much photographed 'pointed house'. During the tour we enjoy a glass of the famous wine.

Cochem and Imperial ReichsburgJoin us on our guided walking tour as we explore the pretty little Moselle town of Cochem. The old quarter is dominated by the late-Gothic imperial castle and is dotted with medieval squares and lovingly restored timber-framed houses – architectural gems typical of the Moselle region.

We see the market square, the baroque town hall, the Martinsbrunnen (a feature of the town's historical water supply), St. Martin's Church, the former Capuchin monastery (now an arts centre) and sections of the old town walls, including the town gates.

We then continue to the mighty Reichsburg Castle. The castle perches on a rock 100 metres above the town of Cochem. Originally dating from the year 1,000, from 1868 to 1877 it was completely reconstructed and, since then, it has become the most-visited monument in the valley of the River Moselle.

There are many impressive things to see inside the Castle, including the Knights' Hall, the Weapon Room, the Hunting Room and the medieval ladies' rooms. The castle is well-equipped with Renaissance and Baroque furniture, weapons, armours, crockery and all kinds of beautiful decorations, including mural paintings.

Evening Cochem Wine TastingJoin us for a visit to a local wine cellar in Cochem this evening, as we taste and sample some of the town’s locally produced wines. These include the famous and traditional Riesling, which is grown on the sloping hills of the Moselle Valley. Come and compare the different quality levels, colours, grape varieties, and characteristics, and learn how the different wines of this region are produced.

Historic Koblenz and the Romanticum

Medieval Eltz Castle

Panoramic Cologne and Cathedral

Join us as we explore this historical city! Cologne has strong Roman ties and is the fourth-largest city in Germany, with more than one million inhabitants. The city is located on both sides of the River Rhine and is home to the famous Kolner Dom (Cologne Cathedral). During World War II, the inner city of Cologne was completely destroyed and was then fully reconstructed in the 1950s.

With our expert guide, we see many of Cologne’s fascinating sights, including the ancient Roman city walls, which were the longest in Germany; the impressive medieval gates; and the twelve large Romanesque churches, which are located in the confined area within the boundaries of the medieval city walls. Many of Cologne's churches rank among the most important in Western Europe.

We also see the world-famous 4711 – the original Eau de Cologne headquarters; the medieval Old City with its impressive town houses, dating back to the 14th century; and the historical Rathaus (City Hall).

We then continue to the world famous Cathedral (entrance included). We find out when construction began and why it took until the 19th century to complete. You will see the world-famous Gero-Crucifix of the 10th century and the medieval stained glass windows.

What's included

May departures receive FREE wine, beer and soft drinks served in the bar after dinner until 22:30

July and August departures receive FREE wine, beer and soft drinks during lunch and dinner (two drinks per person)

MV Virginia

Whether you want to discover the Rhine and Moselle rivers, or Dutch Waterways, the MV Virginia is the ideal choice. Our warm, inviting ship is a firm favourite with Shearings customers, and it's very easy to see why.